Skip to main content

Give tiredness the finger with this sleep monitoring, fitness tracking ring

Wearable tech so far is all about the wrist. Fitness bands and smartwatches may be the devices of choice at the moment, but this new Kickstarter campaign wants to change all that, and is hoping we’re open to putting our next wearable on a finger instead. It’s called the Oura ring, and it’s described as a “wellness computer,” which means sleep/fitness tracker to you and me.

Primarily designed to monitor sleep, the Oura measures your heart rate, breathing, body temperature, and movement at night. It’ll automatically detect that you’re sleeping, then monitor light and deep stages, plus any time you’re laying there awake. It uses a set of algorithms to create a personal profile, and build a picture of how well rested you are.

Collecting and analyzing data is all very well, but it’s useless without converting it into something useful for the wearer. For Oura, it’s used to build a Readiness Score — a percentage mark that shows whether you’re up for a challenge that day, or should be taking it a little easier. Examining the data inside the accompanying app will help make better lifestyle choices, and improve your Readiness Score over time.

OURA_ring_0_withApp
Image used with permission by copyright holder

During the day the Oura ring uses its movement sensor to count steps, check if you’re sitting about for too long, and measure calories burned. Daily targets can be set, and the app will provide graphs on trends, and further recommendations on how to be more active.

The ring is made from zirconia, is scratch and waterproof, comes in a variety of sizes, and three different colors. It uses Bluetooth Smart to connect to your phone, and is compatible with both iOS and Android — but this isn’t essential to its operation, as the internal memory will store three weeks worth of data. Battery life isn’t great at just three days, but it’s recharged in less than an hour inside a custom charger.

It’s not cheap either. The Starter Kit is the lowest priced option on Kickstarter at $230, which is for a glossy white or black version, but the stealth black model — apparently hand finished, and a limited edition — is $400. Despite this, the project has already been funded with time to spare, and the Oura is set for delivery in November. You can check it out here.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
You shouldn’t need an accountant to buy a new fitness tracker
Fitbit Charge 3.

It was once a case of just buying a fitness tracker, strapping it on your wrist, and going about your business. You paid one price, and that was that. Unfortunately, this familiar, clear, and simple buying process is disappearing, and being replaced by one that’s far more complicated. No longer is it enough to pay once for your new piece of tech; the new way is to pay again and again to track your health.

Never has it been so important to fully understand what your desired piece of wearable technology actually costs, because the price on the shelf isn’t necessarily the end of your spend anymore.
Understanding the subscriptions
Oura Ring Horizon Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Read more
I love the Oura Ring, but I’m increasingly worried about its future
The Oura Ring 3rd generation seen from the front.

I first put on an Oura Ring smart ring during the summer of 2021 and have used it continuously ever since. It remains the piece of wearable tech I have worn the most, and it’s unusual for a product to be this sticky.

But recently, I’ve started to question what the future holds for it. The answers I’m coming up with aren’t all that positive, and that’s making me wonder how much longer it’ll stay on my finger.
Why I love the Oura Ring

Read more
Latest Oura partnership adds new meditations and a new way to buy the smart ring
Oura Ring and Therabody's Theragun massage device.

In its continued quest to provide great value to those who wear the Oura Ring, the company has announced a partnership with Therabody, makers of the Theragun percussive recovery muscle massage device. A selection of new features benefiting those who own the Oura Ring and a Therabody device is being introduced, along with a new way to try on and buy the Oura Ring itself.

While you may be familiar with the Oura Ring — we’ve recently covered the new third-generation model, for example — Therabody may be new to you. Its main product, the Theragun, works using percussive therapy, a massage technique that’s designed to help alleviate muscle pain after intense activity. This focus on sport and recovery fits in with the Oura Ring’s core data points, which help assess daily readiness and overall health using sleep and activity data.

Read more